CELT/CELTA/TEFL Help please!

Thrash · 27-09-2015 03:22PM #1

Hi guys,
I'm a university graduate looking to do a language course so I can teach English abroad.
I have zero teaching experience. I am looking for advice on what course I should do.

So far everyone says ''don't do TEFL, do CELT/CELTA''. ''TEFL short courses aren't worth the paper they are printed on''

What are the differences between these courses?
CELTA seems to be slightly more distinguished, and thus more expensive, but I can't see much of a difference between that and CELT.

Also, how difficult is it to work while you do these courses?
If I was to only work weekends, would that allow enough time for tefl?

Is there anything I should be on the lookout for?
Any other tips and tricks I should know?
All advice welcome! Please educate me!

R.D. aka MR.D · 28-09-2015 10:56AM

I'm a little bit confused by your post. You're doing a language course?

CELTA is the most recognised course. CELT is similar but as a colleage of mine once said: Why do a course that you have to explain to every other employer (abroad), when I can just do the one everyone knows?

It depends on how long you see yourself teaching which one you should pick. The CELTA is a bit of an investment.

The CELTA is pretty tough going mon-fri for 1 month. I couldn't have worked during mine, I would've been wrecked.

Thrash · 28-09-2015 09:59PM

Hi, thanks for the quick reply!

Should I do a grammar course first? Although i'm a native speaker I wouldn't know how to explain many grammar mistakes to non-natives.
Are you expected to have an advanced knowledge of grammar before you start, or do they teach you?

I haven't studied grammar in around 12 years, so the thoughts of explaining things like adverbial clauses and the subjunctive to non-native speakers have me terrified.

dwayneshintzy · 22-11-2015 01:20PM

You're not expected to have an advanced knowledge of grammar before a CELTA, but they also won't teach you much. The course is to teach you how to be a teacher, not to teach you English.

Did you end up doing a course?

Thrash · 26-11-2015 12:12AM

Hey, yeah, I ended up doing a CELT course because the CELTA was an extra 1,000 euros.
So glad I didn't waste my money with one of the i to i scams.

It's good. I'm enjoying it. My grammar is lacking in certain areas, but overall i'm quite confident about teaching abroad in the new year.

wildchild247 · 28-12-2015 10:21PM

sorry for hijacking the thread but I am applying for CELTA and there are a few tricky questions on there.

I've been asked to pick the odd one out from the following four phrases:
to talk
to shout
to speak
to whisper
I was thinking of meaning but that seems to a bit vague.
I wonder if they are looking for me to say that "to speak" has an irregular perfect tense form?
Any help is appreciated.

holystungun9 · 05-01-2016 09:35PM

wildchild247 wrote: »

sorry for hijacking the thread but I am applying for CELTA and there are a few tricky questions on there.

I've been asked to pick the odd one out from the following four phrases:
to talk
to shout
to speak
to whisper
I was thinking of meaning but that seems to a bit vague.
I wonder if they are looking for me to say that "to speak" has an irregular perfect tense form?
Any help is appreciated.

Late reply but that's the only thing I can logically get from it.

CELT/CELTA/TEFL Help please!

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